Power and Politics in the Organization - Research Paper Example

Power and politics in the organization Name: Course: Tutor: Date: Table of Contents Table of Contents 1 Abstract 2 Significance of the study 3 Limitations of the study 3 Research aim and rational 3 Power and politics in the organization 4 Interview with subordinate staff 7 Conclusion 9 Permission Form for the Interview 10 Reference: 11 Abstract The power and politics of the organization entails how leaders use their powers to influence decisions and the performance of the organization. It provides guidelines for the success or failure of the organization. It shows the implications, limitations, research aim and rationale, significance, and the method used. Significance of the study This study through the interview is significant because it determines the success of the organization. Politics and power in the organization is essential to the top management and subordinate staff in the organization. It is significant because the managers and staff can use the information correct of areas, which needs to be rectified. The top managers can understand what junior staff wants and vice versa. It is also significant to other stakeholders to understand how organization is being managed. This is significant because it will help correct any malpractices for the failure of the organization. It is significant to the management because it makes them remain focused towards the achievement the organization’s set goals and objectives. Limitations of the study Time was the main limitation because the interviewees could not explain everything because of time. They were not willing to be open and thought that the information may leak; hence, lack of accurate and detailed information. Research aim and rational The aim of the research was to find out the influence of power and politics in the organization’s success or failure. In addition, its aim was to find out the impact of power and politics in the organization. Research aim was to find out how leaders influence power and politics in the organization. The method used for the research was interview. This was used because it was convenient because the general manager and the subordinate staff could explain in detail what power and politics in organization entails. Interview will ensure clarification of the information needed. The main results of the research through the interview show that, power and politics influences either success or failure of the organization. The leaders determine the fate of the organization because they are the ones vested with the power and political influence in the organization. These results have implications for the employees and general performance of the organization. It can either motivates the employees or demoralize them depending on how the power and politics of the organization. Power and politics in the organization This is an interview between me and the general manager and Davis the subordinate staff. The information I will collect will be confidential and will not be used to victimize anybody. Mr. Smith, General Manager, in this vibrant company, welcome to this interview about power and politics at work. My question is: What is power and politics at work? Mr. Smith (GM): Power revolves around leaders. It is about power and leadership in organizations. Leaders are preoccupied with power and it is this power that initiates and sustains the actions taken. Politics is defined as who gets what, how and when. Politics and power cannot be separated from each other. Power involves the use of influence by which behaviors, actions, and events are affected, while politics involves the exercise of power to ensure something is done (McShane & Travaglione 2005, 204). In addition, it protects and enhances the stakes of an individual or groups. Politics in the organization are used to overcome continuous resistance that will help organize decisions according to priorities based on the situation. This is showed how politics and power are related. Power possessed by leaders influence them to act politically in the organization. Power and politics are what drives the organization to success or failure depending on the approach (McShane & Travaglione 2005, 204). Me: What are the negative effects of politics in the organization? Mr. Smith: As said earlier, politics and power in the organization can yield negative or positive results. Politics and power in the organization can make an organization collapse. If leaders or managers or heads of different departments misuse the power, then the organization is going to collapse. Some managers can misuse the resources of the organization for their own benefits. The manager can allocate themselves financial resources and assets and assets of the organization because of power and political influence they have (McShane & Travaglione 2005, 206). Power and politics can cause conflicts, misunderstanding, and hatred in the organization because of selfish interests. It can lead to sour relationships between the top management and subordinate. This is caused by the misuse of power and political influence by the top management to dominate and disrespect the subordinate. This I can testify because it happened in the organization some few years back. The Chief Executive Officer, board members, and heads of the departments used their power and political influence to fire employees who oppose what they are forced to do. They also colluded to reduce the salary by 23% and scrap all the house allowances because of power and political influence they had at that time. This made the company lose qualified staff and employment of unskilled, inexperience, and incompetent staff. This was the most serious situation of allowing a few people to control power and use their political influence to their advantage but at the expense of the organization (McShane & Travaglione 2005, 208). Thank Mr. Smith for that elaborate answer. Now, are there any advantages of power and politics in the organization? Mr. Smith: Thank you very much for that good question. Essentially, the main reason for power and politics is for the success of the organization if it is well used. Power and politics in the organization is meant to unite people in the organization. Organizations appreciate the diversity and leaders vested with power and political influence are assigned responsibility of bridging the gap and building a strong team (McShane & Travaglione 2005, 210). It is those in power that can motivate and inspire employees in the organization to work towards achievement of organizational goals and objectives. It is because of those who are vested with power and political influence, that allocation of resources of resources to various projects and departments in a fair way. The leaders or managers in the organization are to maintain a conducive political and power in the organization. Power and politics in the organization ensures problems are solved with fairness. All activities and events carried out in a fair and transparent manner (McShane & Travaglione 2005, 211). Me: What are the main challenges your organization concerning power and politics and the possible solutions? Mr. Smith: The foremost challenge facing my organization is the failure of board members to be fair and want to dominate all aspects of the organization. To solve this issue, those vested with power and political influence should be subjected to checks and balances. This will ensure the politic and power in the organization is not used to benefit a few at the expense of the majority (McShane & Travaglione 2005, 213). Procedures and guidelines should be set so that all managers can become accountable to all the stakeholders of the organization. Racism and nepotism is a challenge that should be fought when it comes to employment. Those in power should follow the due process required during hiring and firing of employees. It should not be influenced by those in power and political influence in the organization. My organization has fought against these challenges and currently there is progress in the organization (McShane & Travaglione 2005, 215). Interview with subordinate staff This is an interview with a subordinate staff in the organization, about power and politics in the organization and its effects. Good afternoon Davis? Davis: Good after noon. Me: welcome to the interview and feel free. The information you will provide will confidential as I indicated in the invitation letter. Question 1: Do you think politics and power in the organization you work at are beneficial to you? Davis: Thanks for this good question. Politics and power in the organization is important because it determination the direction in which organization is heading to. In my organization, democratic style of power has been embraced so that each employee is given a chance to air his or her views. Personally I have benefited because I was promoted because of fairness and transparency brought about by open power and politics in the organization. There is no more dictatorship and one-person decision-making (McShane & Travaglione 2005, 217). Leaders who are the top managers no longer using the powers and political influence vested in them; to their benefit but to the organization’s success. I am happy about our leaders in the organization because they are the ones who have been motivating and inspiring me work hard. Power and politics in the organization has helped me to appreciate other people from other races and ethnic groups (McShane & Travaglione 2005, 218). Me: Do you think the leaders or managers are using the power and political influence to benefit the organization or their own benefits? Davis: Though most of the managers have improved on how they utilize their powers and political influence, there are a few who still want to dominate others. Most managers are fair, transparent and perform their duties with diligence within their powers. The few managers, who exceed their powers and political influence to cause conflicts, are usually disciplined and others fired. Most leaders in the organization understand what they are supposed to do because there are reduced cases of conflicts in the organization (McShane & Travaglione 2005, 220). Me: Do you think there is someone who controls power and politics in the organization? Davis: In the organization I work in, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the person who dominates. There have been many complaints from the workers, but they all fell in the deaf ears of other senior managers (McShane & Travaglione 2005, 221). The managers fear the CEO who is seen to be the chief disciplinarian and can fire any body without following the due process. In my view as a junior worker, the CEO is unfair, because he instills fear in the organization. He is a dictator who likes to likes authoritative style of leadership. He does not believe in democracy, and he may use the powers and political influence for his own benefit. This happened in the past, and nobody could question him. For it to be fair and reduce misuse of office, all top managers should be subjected to a disciplinary committee when they misuse their powers. The employees lack the morale of working because of lack of motivation due to fear (McShane & Travaglione 2005, 222). Me: Do you think employees (subordinate staff) should be given some powers and political influence in the organization same as that of the top managers? Davis: Though employees deserve some power in order for them to participate fully in the politics of the organization, it should not exceed that of the senior managers. Some employees are known to be violent and influential and can go on strike; hence, paralyzing the activities in the organization. The top managers should respect and hear the complaints of the junior employees. This can happen when the top managers use their powers and political influence in the organization to formulate decisions that are helpful in the organization (McShane & Travaglione 2005, 224). Conclusion Power and politics in the organization influence decisions being made. Power and politics are mainly influenced by leaders who hold senior positions in the organization. These leaders will influence the decisions in the organization especially on what should be done, by when and by whom. These decisions can influence the organization either either positively or negatively. The use of authoritarian style of leadership can create more conflicts between the management and the subordinate. Power and politics are part of the organization but, it should not be used for personal self-interests. Power and politics should be used for the benefit of the organization and not personal interests. Power, which is vested in some leaders, should be used to inspire and motivate employees to achieve their set goals and objectives. Power and politics cannot be delinked from the organization because it influences the success or failure of the organization. Permission Form for the Interview I am willing to cooperate in the interview because the information will solely be used for PSY130 (Organizational Behaviour) at Macquarie University. I believe it will be confidential, my name changed and anonymous. I therefore give my permission for …………………..to use the report. Sign ………………….. Date …………………. Research topic …………………………………… Reference: McShane, S., and Travaglione, T. (2005). Organisational Behaviour on the Rim. Boston: Irwin McGraw Hill. Read More

Power and politics in the organization This is an interview between me and the general manager and Davis the subordinate staff. The information I will collect will be confidential and will not be used to victimize anybody. Mr. Smith, General Manager, in this vibrant company, welcome to this interview about power and politics at work. My question is: What is power and politics at work? Mr. Smith (GM): Power revolves around leaders. It is about power and leadership in organizations. Leaders are preoccupied with power and it is this power that initiates and sustains the actions taken.

Politics is defined as who gets what, how and when. Politics and power cannot be separated from each other. Power involves the use of influence by which behaviors, actions, and events are affected, while politics involves the exercise of power to ensure something is done (McShane & Travaglione 2005, 204). In addition, it protects and enhances the stakes of an individual or groups. Politics in the organization are used to overcome continuous resistance that will help organize decisions according to priorities based on the situation.

This is showed how politics and power are related. Power possessed by leaders influence them to act politically in the organization. Power and politics are what drives the organization to success or failure depending on the approach (McShane & Travaglione 2005, 204). Me: What are the negative effects of politics in the organization? Mr. Smith: As said earlier, politics and power in the organization can yield negative or positive results. Politics and power in the organization can make an organization collapse.

If leaders or managers or heads of different departments misuse the power, then the organization is going to collapse. Some managers can misuse the resources of the organization for their own benefits. The manager can allocate themselves financial resources and assets and assets of the organization because of power and political influence they have (McShane & Travaglione 2005, 206). Power and politics can cause conflicts, misunderstanding, and hatred in the organization because of selfish interests.

It can lead to sour relationships between the top management and subordinate. This is caused by the misuse of power and political influence by the top management to dominate and disrespect the subordinate. This I can testify because it happened in the organization some few years back. The Chief Executive Officer, board members, and heads of the departments used their power and political influence to fire employees who oppose what they are forced to do. They also colluded to reduce the salary by 23% and scrap all the house allowances because of power and political influence they had at that time.

This made the company lose qualified staff and employment of unskilled, inexperience, and incompetent staff. This was the most serious situation of allowing a few people to control power and use their political influence to their advantage but at the expense of the organization (McShane & Travaglione 2005, 208). Thank Mr. Smith for that elaborate answer. Now, are there any advantages of power and politics in the organization? Mr. Smith: Thank you very much for that good question. Essentially, the main reason for power and politics is for the success of the organization if it is well used.

Power and politics in the organization is meant to unite people in the organization. Organizations appreciate the diversity and leaders vested with power and political influence are assigned responsibility of bridging the gap and building a strong team (McShane & Travaglione 2005, 210). It is those in power that can motivate and inspire employees in the organization to work towards achievement of organizational goals and objectives. It is because of those who are vested with power and political influence, that allocation of resources of resources to various projects and departments in a fair way.

The leaders or managers in the organization are to maintain a conducive political and power in the organization.

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